It’s that time of year again, when the party invites begin streaming in, and with them, the annual scramble for Diwali gifts to show up with. Piling yet another box of mithai into someone’s already groaning refrigerator, as tempting as that sounds, isn’t an option—granted, motichoor ladoos are delicious, but there absolutely is such a thing as too much. This year, we’ve tracked down 15 thoughtful yet unfussy gifts from all corners of India for you to choose from. On this list we’ve got Tibetan dolls, organic Lakadong haldi harvested in Meghalaya, small-batch coffee rum from Chikmagalur’s sprawling estates, a handwoven scarf by a Ladakhi fashion label, fresh Bengali mango condiments, metal mirrors from Kerala—and a whole lot more where this came from. Here’s Condé Nast Traveller’s big, fat Diwali hamper with presents from all around the country.
Tibetan dolls
Mapcha
Mapcha
Mapcha
Made in Dharamshala from Himalayan sheep wool and fabric scraps, Mapcha’s dolls bring the nomadic highlands right to children’s toy boxes. They come as fluffy white and black yaks ready to trudge their loads across the Himalayas, or a full nomadic family of seven complete with a tent. The dolls are decked in their Tibetan finest, each a mini crash course into the region’s culture and attire. Mapcha supports local Tibetan and Indian women artisans through fair-trade craft, training them in new skills and creating meaningful, income-generating work. From Rs2800.
Mahua chocolates
Wild Harvest
Troydon Dcruz / Wild Harvest
In central India, the mahua tree has long been prized for its sweet, fragrant flowers, once used in tribal kitchens and banned under colonial rule. Wild Harvest, a social enterprise in Jharkhand, is reviving this tradition through ethical harvesting and community-led conservation. Their Mahua Dragees coat-roasted mahua flowers in dark chocolate turns a foraged forest staple into a rich, nutty confection and a delicious gift. From Rs200.
India Through Iconic Maps by Deepti Anand, Sanghamitra Chatterjee and Juhi Valia
Roli Books
Roli Books
English